Genealogy Chat

Thanks everyone for your help. I am so pleased that I have gone from a relative who I knew virtually nothing about to having his birth, marriage, death certificates, medals and army discharge papers. A truly wonderful find and something that will keep me occupied for many hours I think. Best wishes to all and good hunting. Marion

Marion All servicemen who served in a theatre of war during WW1 received a British War Medal - silver medal with King George V head, on reverse Man on horseback (St george) trampling German Eagle. Also received the Victory Medal - this was a bronze medal of a common design amongst allied nations. The actions of WW1 continued until 1919 in the Hejaz and with the Aden Field Force. Also don't forget that whilst the fighting ended in 1918 with the armistice the war was not ended until the signing of the Versailled Peace Treaty in 1919. Look for his army number, name and regiment on the rim of the medals. Maybe his army service records have survived the Blitz of WW2 - two thirds of the army service records were lost. The rest are now held by the Public Record Office at Kew. These have to be searched, and probably better to employ a professional researcher as it is is not necessarily easy. A good find. Ian

Marion I did a search on Google, which didn't reveal much, except that there are lots of Empire Day Medals for sale on e-bay and other places. There's also an item I failed to cut and paste on www(.at-sheringham(.co(.uk which is a newsletter with reminiscences of a Barry Keith Holmes who remembers everyone at his school being given an Empire Day Medal. It's interesting, but I think the certificates will be worth more to you! Helen

Thanks for the link Bob, you've now sent me off at another tangent investigating the Labour Corp in which he served. I am still intrigued by the Empire Day medal though have you any ideas as to who would be given this? Thanks very much. Marion

Have a look her to find out about "Pip Squeak and Wilfred" http://www.remembering.org.uk/memorial_scroll.htm

My Dad died 3 weeks ago and I am now having to sort through his house which is very sad. However to my utter amazement I have come across a box containing various birth, marriage and death certificates which has really cheered me up. In this box there are some medals belonging to my great grandfather (who I've been trying to trace for ages). I am intrigued by the fact that the 1st World War Victory Medal commemorates "The Great War for Civilisation 1914-1919". Why 1919? Also there is another medal which commemorates Empire Day May 24th. This medal is on a red, white and blue ribbon and has a bar which says 1930. Does anyone know how you got one of these medals? He worked on the railway so would it have been given to railwaymen? Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks. Marion